Parks + Open Space Projects

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The Parks & Open Space Office works on capital projects for the Department, collaborating closely with our Maintenance, Beautification, Forestry, and Aquatics Divisions. Please contact us for information about:

Park planning and revitalization efforts,
Playground construction projects,
Memorial bench donations,
Sports fields and court design development,
Off-leash dog area designs,
Eagle Scout projects,
Adopt-a-Space gardens,
...and more!

We periodically update this site with relevant project updates, upcoming meeting announcement, past meeting recordings, and other news.

Thank you,

Parks + Open Space Office

Director: Ahron Lerman, 617-796-1525

Assistant Director: Vacant

Meeting Reminders & Updates:

There are no public meetings scheduled at this time.

More information about open spaces in Newton:

Parks & Open Space Projects Archive

Albemarle / Russ Halloran Sports + Recreation Complex

ATHLETIC FIELD IMPROVEMENTS @ ALBEMARLE

PRC Presents Preferred Plan to the Parks & Recreation Commission on June 27th, 2022

Parks and Recreation Commission Public Hearing Presentation_06272022

Meeting Recording Albemarle Discussion Starts at 28.58 Mins

Community Meeting # 3: PRC presents 2 Athletic Field and Court Improvement options @ Albemarle

20220602_Community Meeting Presentation

Meeting Closed Captioning

Community Meeting # 2: PRC presents Athletic Field + Court Improvements @ Albemarle + Gath Pool Project

Click Here for the May 3rd, 2022 Meeting recording

20220503_Albemarle Redesign Community Meeting # 2

20220425_Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Presentation

Albemarle 2022 Community Survey Results

Community Meeting # 1: PRC presents preliminary goals and budget for Athletic Field Improvements @ Albemarle

10-20-21 Presentation

10-20-21 Webinar Video

10-20-21 Webinar Audio

10-20-21 Chat

10-20-21 Closed Caption

Athletic Fields 5-Year Strategic Plan

5-YEAR ATHLETIC FIELDS STRATEGIC PLAN

Plan Updates:

Athletic Fields projects update - 01142025

Parks Projects Update Programs & Services 11202024

FY 25 Athletic Fields Projects Parks, Recreation & Culture Construction Update 032524

FY 25 Athletic Fields Projects Construction Update Meeting Recording 032524

A Night With Parks, Recreation & Culture_Programs and Services 6.21.23

FY 23-25 Athletic Fields Projects Parks, Recreation & Culture CPC Construction Funding April 11 2023

Parks, Recreation & Culture CPC preapplication FY 23-25 Athletic Fields Projects March 14 2023

Parks, Recreation & Culture Projects and Maintenance_ Programs and Services Update 2.16.23

Parks, Recreation & Culture Capital Projects and Maintenance_ CPC Update_Feb 14 2023

Parks, Recreation & Culture Projects _ Programs and Services Committee Update 1.18.23

PRC projects master list PS Committee 1.18.2023

City Council update on field projects, field use fees 6.22.22 (topic starts at 42 min)

City Council Programs and Services presentation 6.22.22

Athletic Field Strategic Plan Update - Conservation Commission Discussion January 6th 2022

City Council Athletic Fields Update December 8th 2021

PRC Athletic Fields Capital Plan_Community Preservation Committee Application August 10th 2021

PRC Athletic Fields Capital Plan_Community Preservation Committee Preapplication July 13th 2021

Braceland Playground

Brown-Oak Hill Middle School Fields

ATHLETIC FIELD IMPROVEMENTS @ BROWN-OAK HILL MIDDLE SCHOOLS

Project Update:

Coordination with NPS, multipurpose field user groups, Safe Routes to Schools, and Bike Newton
Topographic survey completed
Drone Imagery Completed
Initial designs in progress

Community Meeting # 2

Brown-Oak Hill Field Improvements Plan Presentation

Meeting Recording: Recording starts at 1hr 58mins

Community Meeting # 1

10/27/21 Presentation

10/27/21 Webinar Video

This video includes Burr School and Brown/Oak Middle School Presentation

10/27/21 Webinar Chat

10/27/21 Webinar Closed Caption

Burr Elementary School Fields

ATHLETIC FIELD IMPPROVEMENTS @ BURR SCHOOL

Project Updates:

April 2026

Currently, the project is running behind schedule. Several factors have contributed to the delay. During the work, we encountered wildlife-related considerations that required us to pause and adjust our approach to remain compliant with environmental regulations.

In addition, there have been some project coordination challenges that have impacted the overall timeline. Finally, the site has experienced more extensive weed growth in and around the site. We recognize that this affects the appearance and usability of the area. We have developed a plan to address turfgrass management that began in November of 2025 and will resume in April 2026. This work will continue throughout 2026.

We understand that delays can be frustrating, and we appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through these challenges. Our goal remains to complete a high-quality athletic field that serves the community while respecting the surrounding environment.

We will continue to provide updates as the project progresses. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Coordination with NPS, multipurpose field user groups, Safe Routes to Schools, and Bike Newton
Topographic survey completed
Drone Imagery Completed
Initial designs in progress

Community Meeting # 2

Burr School Field Improvements Plan Presentation

Meeting Recording: Recording starts at 0.00 minutes

Community Meeting # 1

10/27/21 presentation

10/27/21 Webinar video

The video includes Burr School and Brown/Oak Middle School Presentation

10/27/21 Webinar Chat

10/27/21 Webinar Closed Caption

Cabot Park

IMPROVEMENTS @ CABOT PARK

Cabot Park Pavilion Community Meeting #2:

Butterfly Pavilion Rendering

Cabot Park Pavilion Community Build Meeting 2 Recording

Cabot Park Pavilion Community Meeting #2 Presentation 06232022

Cabot Park Pavilion Community Meeting #1:

Cabot Park Pavilion Community Build Meeting 1 Recording

Cabot Park Pavilion Community Meeting 1 Presentation 06152022

Cabot Park Pavilion Community Build_MassArt Presentation February 28, 2022

Other Improvements:

Cabot Park Improvements - Parks and Recreation Commission Presentation May 16 2022

Crystal Lake Park + Beach

Forte Park

Gath Pool

NSHS + NNHS Sports Lighting

NSHS + NNHS Synthetic Turf Replacement Projects

NSHS + NNHS Synthetic Turf Replacement Project

Newton South High School Turf and Track Improvement

Project Information and Updates:

Total Project Budget: $3.5M

Turf Manufacturer: Shaw Sports Turf

TPE Infill Manufacturer: Guardian Sports

Turf Recycling Facility: APW Enterprises, LLC

Contractor: R.A.D Sports

August 2023 Updates:

New turf carpet installation begins; seams glued, tick marks and center logos inlayed; TPE and sand infill spread and groomed; track markings painted; stadium field GMAX rating tested; stadium field ready for preseason use; old Brandeis field turf and infill removed, stockpiled and hauled to recycling facility; subgrade prepared at Brandeis field; new turf and infill for Brandeis field arrives; new Brandeis field turf carpet installed; Brandeis field infill installation pending.

Winkler Stadium:

20230824_092206

20230814_090928

20230807_073755

20230802_115401

Brandeis Field:

20230821_081210 20230809_094520

20230802_084603

July 2023 Updates:

Contractor mobilizes; erosion control measures installed at stadium field; stadium field drain and filters cleaned; track repaired and resurfaced; old stadium turf and crumb rubber infill removed, stockpiled and hauled away to recycling facility; stadium field subgrade prepared; new turf and TPE infill for stadium field arrives.

Winkler Stadium:

20230731_101116

20230731_094836

20230724_084150

20230711_102250

Community Meeting #1

Synthetic Turf Replacements Community Meeting #1 Presentation_10.24.22

Synthetic Turf Replacements Community Meeting #1 Recording

McGrath Park @ Warren House

ATHLETIC FIELD IMPROVEMENTS @ MCGRATH PARK

Upcoming Meetings:

Project Update

Conceptual Design Approved by the Parks & Recreation Commission
Conceptual Design Completed
Topographic survey completed
Drone Imagery Completed
Initial designs in progress

Parks & Recreation Commission

McGrath Parks & Recreation Commission Presentation_10172022

Community Meeting #2

McGrath Park Field Improvements Plan Presentation

Meeting Recording: Recording Starts at 59.00 minutes

Community Meeting # 1

10-20-21 Presentation

10-20-21 Webinar Video

10-20-21 Webinar Audio

10-20-21 Webinar Chat

10-20-21 Closed Caption

Off Leash Dog Areas

Oak Hill Park Off-Leash Dog Area

Wednesday, October 29, 2025 @ 7pm Listening Session Recording (passcode: Q2*W+GsJ)

Presentation: Oak Hill Off-Leash Dog Area 10-29-25

Edmands Park Off Leash Area Proposal

Cabot Canines submitted an updated "Compromise Proposal" after receiving feedback to their original proposal below. This update attempts to balance off-leash dog time at Edmands with dedicated "on-leash" hours, so that others in the city can be at the park safely and reliably without dogs. This new proposal is readable here: Edmands Compromise Proposal 041725.

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Recording of the Public Listening Session for Edmands Park Off-Leash Proposals on December 11, 2024, can be found at this zoom recording. The presentation can be viewed separately here.

The full off-leash proposal by Cabot Canines, including survey responses, can be read here.

The Edmands for All counter-proposal, against making the park off-leash, can be found here. And their survey responses are here.

Spears Park Community Gardens